Whole House 1,2,3-TCP Reduction Water Filter System - Trichloropropane Removal
Many Tucson households notice their existing water treatment equipment struggling to handle water quality issues. One potential factor is 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP), a chlorinated solvent historically linked to soil fumigants. Here is a focused checklist relevant to Pima County residents concerned with this compound.
How a soil fumigant impurity from the 1950s-1980s reached deep groundwater decades later
1. 1,2,3-TCP is a legacy impurity from fumigants used decades ago
This contaminant originates from soil fumigation chemicals applied mainly between the 1950s and 1980s. Over time, TCP has migrated through soil layers into deep groundwater aquifers supplying Tucson.
2. Groundwater supplies the City of Tucson public water system
The City of Tucson's water system in Pima County serves over 730,000 people through groundwater sources. This means TCP, if present, is traced at the aquifer level rather than from surface water or distribution plumbing.
Why the reporting level for this solvent is thousands of times lower than for common metals
3. Federal reporting level for 1,2,3-TCP is 0.03 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
This equates to 0.03 parts per billion (ppb), a threshold for reporting detections, not a health standard or violation level.
4. Testing sensitivity for TCP is much higher than for typical metals
The low reporting level reflects the ability of certified laboratories to measure minute TCP concentrations well below common metal thresholds. This helps identify the compound even when present at trace levels.
What a certified laboratory test for this constituent reports and how to read it
5. No TCP detected above the reporting level in City of Tucson water samples (2013-2015)
EPA monitoring found zero detections above 0.03 µg/L in 54 samples from Tucson’s public water system. This data does not indicate any exceedance or unsafe condition.
6. Individual household water quality can only be confirmed by specific well or tap testing
Government system monitoring cannot determine TCP levels in any specific home. Homeowners should consider a certified TCP test if concerned about their own water.
The household or facility symptoms that do and do not point to this problem
7. No distinct taste or odor is associated with 1,2,3-trichloropropane presence
1,2,3-TCP is typically odorless and tasteless at low concentrations, so household water issues like unusual tastes or smells usually have other causes.
8. Water treatment equipment working below capacity may indicate the need for specialized filtration
Existing equipment that cannot keep up with certain invisible contaminants, including TCP, may require supplementary treatment technologies that specifically address chlorinated solvents.
What the reader should write down before asking anyone for treatment advice
9. Document any certified laboratory results specifying 1,2,3-TCP levels in your water
Having detailed analysis reports with actual test figures helps tailor treatment options accurately to your household’s needs.
10. Note your household's daily water use and any known water quality issues
Providing clear information about consumption and symptoms supports choosing the right equipment capacity and performance features.
To address elevated TCP challenges where standard equipment falls short, the C-Series 1,2,3-TCP Filter ships ready to configure for household use, designed specifically for this chlorinated solvent.
Overall, Tucson’s public water system record from EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) shows no detections of 1,2,3-trichloropropane above 0.03 µg/L in samples taken between 2013 and 2015. This reflects the system-wide scope and does not replace the necessity for homeowners to test their individual water when evaluating treatment options. For public records and more information, visit the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) public water system database.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2013-11-20. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for City of Tucson (AZ0410112), AZ: 54 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level